Jerry Vernon Driver of Dorr, Michigan passed away the morning of Saturday, October 4, 2025, aged 79. He was born August 12, 1946 in Decatur, Alabama to Richard Aubrey Driver and Bernice Josephine Stinson Driver, both of whom preceded him in death.

Jerry is survived by and deeply loved by his wife of 57 years, Sandra Jane Martin Driver, and his children, Steven James (Lisa) Driver, Adrian Geoffrey (Carol) Driver, and Sandra Edana Driver (Ryan) Coutts. He was honored to have one more whom he considered to be like a son and who is, along with his fiancée, part of the family, Tim Corbett (Alissa).  Jerry is also survived by seven grandchildren, Katherine Edana Driver (Riley), Naomi Hannah Driver, Aidan Ryan James Coutts (Ellery), Brendan Andrew Joseph Coutts, Nathan Samuel Driver, Carina Grace Driver, and Austin Andrew (Abby) Tranberg along with two great-grandchildren, Emma Lynn Tranberg and Madalyn Marie Tranberg who was just born the week of his passing.

Jerry and Sandra met at Florence State College (now University of North Alabama) and were married on June 3, 1968 at the home of Primitive Baptist Brother Guy Hunt (future Governor of the state of Alabama). When Sandra Edana met Governor Hunt again in 2001 at the funeral of her maternal grandmother, Lena Lockwood Martin, he warmly relayed with good humor the story that the day of the wedding, Jerry was so nervous when he was pulling out of the driveway that he ran over a small pine tree and damaged it so badly that it limped along for years before they had to finally remove it, and all those years that little tree made them think of him. This became a story that Jerry was teased about often over the years.

Jerry received his Bachelor of Science degree from Florence State with a double major in Chemistry and Biology, minoring in Physics and Mathematics. He began teaching high school science for two years, and then he was drafted. He served in the US Navy from 1970 until 1975 during which he toured the North Atlantic on the USS Casimir Pulaski, a ballistic missile submarine. His work focused on the nuclear reactor that powered the submarine. Although he had thought he would become career Navy, he was honorably discharged in 1975 due to an eye disease that gave him very poor, worsening eye sight and precluded him from becoming an officer; he had been recommended for officer candidacy multiple times.

Jerry, Sandra, and their 3 children returned to Alabama after he was honorably discharged. He decided to continue pursuing the career of high school science teacher. He attended Auburn University where he earned another Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, and then he went on to earn his Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Science Education.

For the next couple of decades, he moved around the state with his family setting up science programs and teaching advanced high school sciences at various schools. Over his career, he taught hundreds of teenagers, many of whom went on to have very successful careers in science fields that some have told the family that they chose because of the love for science that he imparted to them.

A few years after they became empty nesters, Jerry and Sandra moved to Texas for a period of time, and then after spending a few years in the Dallas area, they moved to West Michigan in 2006 to be near all of their kids and grandkids who had migrated to the region. For a few years before retiring, he was an Adjunct Professor at Grand Valley State University teaching Chemistry to non-science majors.

Jerry was deeply introverted outside of teaching and had a love of reading and of movies, especially science fiction. He enjoyed watching history and science documentaries and keeping up with national politics and current events. He had a love for animals, especially cats, and he is seen in the picture above with his beloved Grizzabella who passed away a few years ago at the age of 19.

Jerry's health was on a steady decline the last few years. 2025 was particularly challenging with several hospital stays. After spending a few weeks in in-home hospice care this Fall, he passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife and daughter by his side.

The family held a private visitation before his cremation and plans to hold a Celebration of Life for him later this year.